Dropped spanner in engine

I think we've all done something similar. On the positive side, I think I'd prefer to lose something big like a spanner that's easier to find! And on the 308 things can drop out vs say a 550 with an undertray.

I bought an endoscope off Amazon that plugs to my phone for this very problem and has a magnet attachment etc - could be worth borrowing or buying one, they're pretty cheap?

Good luck
John

 

Can guarantee if it was me I would pull that belt cover only to find that 10 mm wrench sitting on the bench behind me!

 

LOL

 

All you can do is throughly search until you find it. Poking around with one of those magnet tools might be helpful as is a LOT of light from different angles.

You sure you dropped it in there? I once couldn't find the wrench I had been using - thought I must have laid it in the engine somewhere. Finally found it...in the refrigerator! I had gone in to get a cold drink, had the wrench in my hand and laid it on the fridge shelf to move some items. Got my drink, forgot the ratchet...

 

At least its not the clutch inspection hole! I'd spend the after noon and take off the cover or at least the backing cover.

 

Listening and remembering the sound(s) the dropped wrench made when it fell give you some clues as to where it might be (if you did not see its path).

 

The elusive 10mm, wrench or socket, always bound to be missing/losing one. Best of luck to you sir. Be patient. Deep breaths. Try to hunt for it just a little while every day.

 

If you could only turn the car upside down and shake it that would be cool.

 

I had a similar experience years ago while replacing my thermostat, I dropped one of the threaded studs and didn’t hear it hit the floor. After a long search, I found it here. Big relief! Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Ooooo!

 

Wow!

 

Yikes!

 

I did the same thing today with my 308 rear cylinder timing belt cover. I dropped a stubby screw driver and could only see the plastic handle, which did not react to my magnet-on-a-stick. In desperation, I stuck a long handle screw driver in the area, and knocked the small tool onto the floor. It was a good reminder to be more careful.

 

Do you guys cover up properly?
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Even the empty plug holes .

 

Check to see if my land rover is in there while u r at it- i know i left it somewhere

 

But you've left the oil galleys in the head wide open!

Seriously, I had the sump bottom cover off my QV this winter to install the baffle and get a new gasket on it, and found a small washer sitting in the bottom of the sump tray. A previous owner/mechanic must have dropped it down one of the oil galleys in a cylinder head, and luckily it made it down to the bottom of the sump. It sat down there for at least the 8 years I've owned it, could have been longer.

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I also found a nut and washer trapped in the right front engine mount bracket, if something is dropped outside the engine and doesn't hit the ground it's a likely resting spot - you can make out a nyloc nut that has been sitting there for a long time (also preceding my ownership)

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And someone would have claimed that you didn't change your belts often enough. ;-)

 

What is it with 10mm sockets? I've lost one for years, and thought it was lost in my 400i - turned that bloody thing upside down and even pulled the door cards off the day before it sold - it's probably in there somewhere. Dropped the copper washer off the thermostat bleeder on the QV - had to buy a flexi borescope and found it under the bottom belt pulley. You've gotta know!

 

Don’t feel bad. I dropped one of my idle jets with the holder and oring yesterday. went and bought an inspection camera. Found the holder and oring in 10 minutes. But 45 minutes to fish it out. It fell into the alt bracket. The jet itself was found on a ledge just under the water pump. Another 45 minutes screwing around.
must have: inspection camera